Written on the sky . . .

"The white chrysanthemum

Is disguised by the first frost.

If I wanted to pick one

I could find it only by chance."

-- Oshikochi No Mitsune

*

"I went out in the Spring

To gather the young herbs.

So many petals were falling

Drifting in confused flight

That I lost my way."

-- Ki No Tsurayuki

 

From:  WRITTEN ON THE SKY: Japanese poems, translated by Kenneth Rexroth